Former Pryce Jones headquarters sold

Newtown's landmark building, once home to the world's first mail order company, has been purchased at auction for an undisclosed sum.

The iconic Royal Welsh Warehouse in Newtown has been sold to a Lincolnshire-based investor following an auction conducted by Allsop Auctions.

The historic building, which was constructed in 1879 and served as the headquarters for Sir Pryce Jones's pioneering mail order business, had a guide price of £500,000. The identity of the successful bidder has not been disclosed, though the new owner is said to have connections in Powys.

Located prominently on Old Kerry Road adjacent to Newtown railway station, the commercial property extends to 66,654 square feet across multiple lettings. The building dominates the town's skyline and sits on a 0.57-hectare site that includes parking for nearly 150 vehicles.

Toby Shaw, a partner at Towler Shaw Roberts, which marketed the property from its Shrewsbury office, said the warehouse had generated significant interest due to its historical importance and prime location.

"The Royal Welsh Warehouse is an iconic building with an immense history and it stimulated a high level of interest," Shaw said. "It's a building which dominates the Newtown skyline and benefits from an excellent location in the town."

The sale also included an adjacent lodge with planning permission already granted for two residential dwellings, offering potential for alternative uses or redevelopment subject to obtaining the necessary consents.

Shaw indicated that the new owner would be revealing plans for the property in the coming weeks, though no details have been provided about the intended use of the landmark building.

The Royal Welsh Warehouse holds particular significance as the former base of operations for what became the world's first mail order company, established by entrepreneur Sir Pryce Jones in the late 19th century. 

The business revolutionised retail by allowing customers to order goods through the post, a concept that would later evolve into modern e-commerce.

The building's sale marks a new chapter for one of Newtown's most recognisable structures, which has continued to serve as commercial premises in the decades following the end of the original mail order operation.